Friday, November 15. 2013

Friedrich Wilhelm Herschel was a noted scientist and musician. He was born in Germany on November 15, 1863, but lived in England early in his military career (he was an oboist with the Hanoverian Guards). After his military service, he returned to England and, when becoming a naturalized English citizen, changed his name to William Herschel. As a scientist, he discovered the planet Uranus and its moons, and two of Saturn's moons. Herschel also discovered infrared radiation in sunlight. Herschel's career as a composer only spanned about 18 years, but he completed 24 symphonies, 14 concertos, and many other works. See books about Herschel's scientific career in the library's collection. And, see a biography about Herschel's musical career in the Oxford Music Online database.

Thursday, November 14. 2013

On November 14, 1883, the Michigan State Pharmaceutical Association was organized in Lansing (see text on the historical marker). The library can help you find much information about the pharmaceutical industry, especially through the ProQuest Statistical Abstract of the United States. Want to find out how much was spent on pharmaceutical products in 2008? Check out Table 750: Chain-Type Price Indexes for Personal Expenditures... Maybe you want to compare the amount spent on pharmaceuticals acting on the cardiovascular system in 2005 and 2007. Look for Table 1039: Pharmaceutical Preparations—Value of Shipments: 1900 to 2010. There is a wealth of other information that can be found in the Statistical Abstract of the United States.

Wednesday, November 13. 2013

British Egyptologist Margaret Murray was born on this date in 1863. Africa-Wide Information, an anthropology database, lists several of Murray's works. Regrettably, we don't have access to any of the articles or books mentioned in the Africa-Wide Information. However, if you are interested in any of Murray's works, we will be more than happy to try to get them for you through interlibrary loan -- just click on the link for "360 Link for Full Text" in the listing for the article or book you would like.

Friday, November 8. 2013

The November 12, 1863 edition of the Democratic Expounder (Marshall, Mich.) newspaper reported that General Stoneman "ordered that Detroit hereafter be a depot for cavalry horses." The article mentioned that grounds were procured and structures were raised to protect the animals. And, "The depot is to be located in the vacinity of the old toll gate, near the barracks. There are now about a thousand horses on these grounds."

Do you know what stands now where these horses were kept? Please share.

To see more historical newspapers from Michigan and throughout the world, check out Newspaper Archive.

Thursday, November 7. 2013

According to the article Women in Entertainment and Sports, 1861–1899 (found in the American Women's History Online database) "The U.S. Sanitary Commission (USSC) was founded in 1861 and charged with providing medical care and sanitation for Union troops." To raise funds for its work and to "energize Union spirit" — the commission held fairs throughout the North. The first of these fairs was the Northwestern Soldiers' Fair, which ended its twelve-day run on this date in 1863. Many items were put on sale to raise money, including the original manuscript of the Emancipation Proclamation, which President Lincoln reluctantly allowed. Note: The Newberry Library reports that the original manuscript was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

Tuesday, November 5. 2013

One of the most important battles of the Creek War took place on November 5 (or November 3), 1813. William Weatherford, also known as Red Eagle, was influenced by Tecumseh's 1811 trip to the south to advocate independence from the United States through a tribal confederation and military alliance. Weatherford led a force of Red Stick Creeks against Fort Mims and killed about 500 settlers. In retaliation, Andrew Jackson, still recovering from duel wounds, led troops, including several Native American tribes, against the Red Stick Creeks. [One famous soldier under Jackson's command was Davy Crockett.] The Red Sticks were routed, but continued fighting for another four and a half months.

To see more about William Weatherford and the Creek Wars, or more about more than 5,000 years of American Indian culture, history, and leaders, check out American Indian History Online.